Carbon nanotubes are a type of nanomaterial consisting of a hollow tube made up of carbon atoms. These tubes, which are typically only 1 nanometer in diameter, have a range of useful properties on account of their small size and large surface-to-volume ratio.
First discovered in 1991, carbon nanotubes have rapidly become a focus of research due to their potential applications in a number of fields, such as optoelectronics, biomedical engineering, and even space exploration.
Carbon nanotubes are formed when graphene—which consists of a single flat sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice—is rolled up into a tube. The diameter of the tube is determined by the number of hexagonal lattice layers that constitute it—single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) typically have diameters of between 0.7-2 nm, while multiwalled nanotubes (MWNTs) typically range from 2-50 nm in diameter.
Due to their unique structure, carbon nanotubes possess a wide range of properties that differ from other materials. Many are electrical conductors but can be turned into semiconductors or insulators simply by adjusting their chirality.
The nanoscale size of the tubes allows for extremely efficient heat transport andThe nanoscale size of the tubes allows for extremely efficient heat transfer, making them excellent materials for thermal insulation. The walls of carbon nanotubes are incredibly strong and yet incredibly light—only one-sixth the weight of steel—making them potentially useful for construction, aircraft and automotive components, as well as other applications.
SWNTs are also chemically inert, non-toxic, and transparent to visible light, meaning they can be used in optoelectronic devices. MWNTs are more mechanically robust than SWNTs and have thus found a range of uses in biomedical engineering such as drug delivery, bio-sensing, and tissue repair.
Carbon nanotubes also have potential applications in space exploration due to their high strength, low density, and capacity for heat dissipation. NASA has already tested carbon nanotubes for possible use in its solar sail project, and other nanomaterials are likely to be explored as a way to reduce the weight of spacecraft.
Overall, carbon nanotubes are an exciting and promising nanomaterial with numerous potential applications. Its unique properties make it a suitable choice for uses ranging from thermal insulation to optoelectronics, and its small size and low weight mean it could find its way into a wide range of emerging industries such as biomedical engineering, construction, space exploration, and more.
